Artist Lucian Freud appeared to give the Queen the brush-off yesterday in the line-up for a photograph.

He and a host of dignitaries - who have all received the prestigious Order of Merit - were invited to lunch at Buckingham Palace. Afterwards, they joined the Queen, Prince Philip and Charles to pose for a group photograph.

But at the crucial moment, Freud, 84, turned away from the camera. The Order of Merit is an honour given personally by the Queen without recommendations from politicians.

Others looking more relaxed for the shot included Sir David Attenborough and former PM Baroness Thatcher.

ARTY FACT

Lucian Freud's naked portrait of supermodel Kate Moss when she was pregnant sold for £3.9million.